Kollur
About the city
Kollur is one of the seven Mukti Sthalams of Parasurma Kshetras situated in Karnataka. The other holy centers are Udupi, Subramanya, Kumbasi, Kodeshwra, Sankaranaryana and Gokarna. The sacred shrine of Devi Mookambika is at the foot of a hill known as Kudashatri. River Sowparnika, originating in the hill, flows by the side of the temple.Yogis and rishis have performed penance on this holy soil. Skanda Purana speaks about the glory of this Maha Aranyapuram, where a sage by name kola did penance. Devi Adi Shakti, who vanquished demon Mookaura, was extolled by the Devas as Mookambika.
Devi Shakti appeared before Sri Adi Sankara too in this Kudashatri hills. The Swayambu Lingam with a golden rekha in the middle is worshipped as Siva - Shakti Swaroopa. The devout believe that all the three Shaktis-Mahakali, Mahaswaraswathi and Mahalakshmi-are enshrined in this sacred idol of Mookambika. The Panchaloha idol of the Devi was installed by Sri Adi Sankara himself. He prescribed the various rituals and puja rites for worship and installed Sri Chakra before the Goddess. The Devi is in Padmasana posture holding Shanku and Chakra, and is showing Abhaya Varada Mudra. The images of Kali and Saraswathi are enshrined near Mookambika.
The Sankar Simhasanam, astone peetam in the shrine, is reverd highly by devotees. Sri Adi Sankara used this place for meditation. Devotees meditate here and seek the Huru,s blessings. An Anjaneya idol installed by Sri Vadi Raja, Lord Veerabhadra, Naga and Subramanya have separate shrines. A marble idol of Vinayaka with ten hands is enshrined on the southern prakara. The divine atmosphere that prevails in and around the shrine soothes one,s mind with spiritual fervour and unfathomable quetitude.
The hill Kudashatri has some excellent places for pilgrims to explore. Ambavanam and Chitramoolam, a cave, are believed to be places where Sri Adi Sankara did tapas. The waters of Sowparnika are said to possess medicinal properties and a bath in the river refreshes one,s mind and body.
About 135 km from Mangalore and 80 km from Udupi, in the valley of Kodachadri peak of Western Ghats nestles a serene town Kollur. Here is seat of very famous Mookambika Temple on the banks of the never drying river Sauparnika This attractive Mookambika temple with gold plated crest and copper roofs attracts thousands of devotees.This is a well known temple in the Weat Coast of Karnataka and is one of the most important places of pilgrimage attracting pilgrims from all over India. The temple is dedicated to Mookambika and stands on a spur of the Kodachadri peak. The Goddess Mookambika is in the form of Jyotir-Linga incorporating both Shiva and Shakthi. The Panchaloha image (five element mixed metal) of the Goddess on Shree Chakra is stated to have been consecrated by Adi shankaracharya during his visit to this place. There is an exquisite sculpture of Panchamukha Ganesha. Kollur is regarded as one of the Seven Muktislala pilgrimage sites in Karnataka which are (kollur), Udupi, Subrahmanya, Kumbasi, Kodeshwara, Sankaranarayana and Gokarna.Kollur is known for its association with Aadi Sankara. Mookambika is said to have appeared before Aadi Sankara here, and he is said to have installed her image at this shrine. There is a room near the sanctum - enshrining the Sankara Simhasanam which is regarded as the very spot where he meditated and had a vision of Mookambika. Mookambika is regarded as a manifestation of Shakti, Saraswathi and Mahalakshmi. The Kudashadri hill houses sites such as Ambavanam and Chitramoolam where Adi Sankara isbelieved to have meditated..The temple has been patronised by ancient Hindu Kings and several parts in it are still believed to contain valuable treasures. This was the state temple for the Nagara or Bednore Rajas and many jewels now adorning the idol are said to have been presented by them and by their overlords of Vijayanagar. During the Mahratta raids in this district in the 18th century these freebooters are believed to have carried away gold, silver and gems worth crores of rupees.
The installation of the idol at Mookambika temple has a history as ancient as about 1200 years. As suggested by Rani Chennammaji, the feudal lord by name Halugallu Veera Sangayya has covered the inside of the temple with stone. When we look at the temple structure, we find the sanctorum, then entrance hall and then the Lakshmi Mantapa. There are four pillars at Lakshmi Mantapa and on upper portion of each of these pillars, we find beautifully carved images of various gods.